Washington DC DMV Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 of 25

   Can cold or allergy medicine you buy without a prescription affect your driving?

   • ANo, only prescription drugs affect driving
   • BOnly if you take it with food
   • CNo, these medicines are always safe
   • DYes, some can make you drowsy, so read the label
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Yes, some can make you drowsy, so read the label

   Many over-the-counter medicines cause drowsiness. Read the warning label and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Which of these places is unsafe for passing on a two-lane road?

   • AA flat, open road in daylight with a clear view
   • BA straight road with a broken yellow line and no oncoming traffic
   • CA marked passing zone with good visibility
   • DNear the top of a hill or on a curve where you cannot see ahead
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   Answer: D. Near the top of a hill or on a curve where you cannot see ahead

   Do not pass near hills or curves where you cannot see oncoming traffic, or near intersections and railroad crossings.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Your light turns green, but a pedestrian is still crossing in front of you. What should you do?

   • AHonk so the pedestrian hurries
   • BWait until the pedestrian has finished crossing
   • CDrive slowly around the pedestrian
   • DGo, because you have a green light
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   Answer: B. Wait until the pedestrian has finished crossing

   A green light lets you go only after you yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and vehicles already in the intersection.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AA hospital zone begins
   • BA school is near; slow down and watch for children
   • CA playground is ahead
   • DAn adults-only crosswalk is ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A school is near; slow down and watch for children

   The five-sided school sign warns that you are near a school. Slow down, watch for children and obey any school speed limit.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AAlways come to a full stop
   • BThe road narrows ahead
   • CMerge without slowing down
   • DSlow down and let traffic and pedestrians go first; stop if needed
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Slow down and let traffic and pedestrians go first; stop if needed

   A triangle pointing down means yield. Slow down, give the right-of-way, and stop only if you must.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Car A and Car B reach this intersection, which has no signs or signals, at about the same time. Which car must yield?

   • AWhichever car is going faster
   • BCar B
   • CNeither car; both may go at once
   • DCar A
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Car A

   At an uncontrolled intersection, if two cars arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Car B is on Car A's right, so Car A must yield.

7. Question 7 of 25

   At night you see red reflectors on the road facing you. What does this most likely mean?

   • AYou are entering a school zone
   • BYou are going the wrong way on a one-way road or ramp
   • CThe road ahead is wet
   • DYou are near a fire station
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   Answer: B. You are going the wrong way on a one-way road or ramp

   Red raised pavement markers face drivers who are going the wrong way on a one-way road or ramp. Turn around safely right away.

8. Question 8 of 25

   When is it safe to pull back in front of a large truck you have passed?

   • AAs soon as you pass the cab
   • BWhen the truck driver honks
   • CWhen you can see the whole truck in your rearview mirror
   • DRight after your rear bumper passes its front bumper
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   Answer: C. When you can see the whole truck in your rearview mirror

   Cutting in too soon puts you in the truck's front blind spot, where it cannot stop in time. Wait until you see it in your mirror.

9. Question 9 of 25

   In freezing weather, which part of the road often ices over first?

   • ALong straight roads in the sun
   • BRoads in the middle of town
   • CBridges and overpasses
   • DUphill sections facing the sun
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Bridges and overpasses

   Cold air flows above and below bridges and overpasses, so they freeze before other parts of the road.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA toll road
    • BA US highway route
    • CA route on the Interstate highway system
    • DA state park road
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A route on the Interstate highway system

    The red, white and blue shield marks an Interstate highway route.

11. Question 11 of 25

    When is it right to use your high-beam headlights?

    • AOn dark, open roads when no vehicles are close ahead or coming toward you
    • BIn fog
    • CIn busy city traffic
    • DWhen following another car closely
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    Answer: A. On dark, open roads when no vehicles are close ahead or coming toward you

    High beams help you see farther on dark roads, but dim them for oncoming traffic and when following another vehicle.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What does a five-sided (pentagon) sign like this warn you about?

    • AA no-passing zone
    • BA railroad crossing
    • CRoad work
    • DA school zone or school crossing
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    Answer: D. A school zone or school crossing

    The pentagon shape is used for school signs, so you know to watch for children.

13. Question 13 of 25

    You cannot see the truck driver's face in the truck's side mirror. What does that mean?

    • AYou are a safe distance away
    • BThe truck is about to stop
    • CThe truck driver probably cannot see you
    • DThe truck driver can see you clearly
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    Answer: C. The truck driver probably cannot see you

    If you can't see the driver in the truck's side mirror, assume the driver can't see you.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What does a steady yellow light mean?

    • ASpeed up to get through before it turns red
    • BThe light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do it safely
    • COnly pedestrians may move now
    • DThe intersection is clear, so go
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    Answer: B. The light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do it safely

    A steady yellow light warns that the green is ending and red is coming. Stop if you can do so safely.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What does implied consent mean?

    • APolice may search your home at any time
    • BYou may refuse a chemical test with no penalty
    • CBy driving, you have agreed to a chemical test for alcohol or drugs if lawfully asked by police
    • DYour passengers must also be tested
    Show answer

    Answer: C. By driving, you have agreed to a chemical test for alcohol or drugs if lawfully asked by police

    Under implied consent laws, getting a license and driving means you agree to be tested when an officer lawfully asks.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ADetour to the right
    • BRight turns only
    • CTraffic on this street moves only in the direction of the arrow
    • DKeep to the right of the divider
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Traffic on this street moves only in the direction of the arrow

    Drive only in the direction of the arrow. You may not drive the other way on a one-way street.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AAn Interstate highway
    • BA US highway (US route) number
    • CA county road
    • DAn exit number
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A US highway (US route) number

    The black and white shield marks a numbered US route. These routes often cross several states.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATrucks must use this route
    • BOne-way street to the right
    • CThe road ahead turns right
    • DFollow this route because the usual road is closed
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Follow this route because the usual road is closed

    A detour takes you around a closed road. Follow the detour signs until you are back on your route.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA four-way intersection
    • BA railroad crossing; yield to any train
    • CYou must always stop here, even when no train is near
    • DA hospital is nearby
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A railroad crossing; yield to any train

    Treat a crossbuck like a yield sign. Slow down, look and listen both ways, and stop if a train is coming. Trains always have the right-of-way.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AHospital staff parking
    • BA wheelchair crossing is ahead
    • CLoading zone
    • DParking only for vehicles with a valid disability placard or license plate
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Parking only for vehicles with a valid disability placard or license plate

    Do not park in these spaces unless your vehicle displays a valid disability placard or plate. You can be fined.

21. Question 21 of 25

    An emergency vehicle (1) is stopped on the shoulder with its lights flashing. What should you do in Car 2?

    • AKeep your speed and lane
    • BStop behind the police car
    • CSpeed up to get past quickly
    • DMove over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Move over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down

    Move Over laws require you to change to a lane away from a stopped emergency vehicle when safe, or slow down if you cannot.

22. Question 22 of 25

    When should you leave more than your normal following distance?

    • AOnly when the road is dry and clear
    • BIn bad weather or when following a large truck
    • COnly on city streets
    • DWhen you are in a hurry
    Show answer

    Answer: B. In bad weather or when following a large truck

    Add more space in rain, snow or fog, and behind large trucks that block your view.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AStop only if other vehicles are near
    • BCome to a full stop, then go when it is safe
    • CSlow down and go if no one is coming
    • DStop only when a police officer is present
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Come to a full stop, then go when it is safe

    A red octagon always means stop. Stop completely, yield to traffic and pedestrians, then go when it is safe.

24. Question 24 of 25

    You have parked on the street. What should you do before opening your door on the traffic side?

    • ATurn on your headlights
    • BHonk your horn
    • CCheck behind you for bicyclists and cars
    • DOpen the door quickly to get out fast
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Check behind you for bicyclists and cars

    Opening a door into the path of a bicyclist can cause a serious crash. Look back before you open it.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • ASlow down and watch for deer, especially at dawn and dusk
    • BTurn off your headlights so deer are not blinded
    • CHonk your horn the whole time
    • DSwerve sharply if you see a deer
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Slow down and watch for deer, especially at dawn and dusk

    Deer are most active at dawn and dusk. If one appears, brake firmly and stay in your lane rather than swerving.

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